Retirement

Monthly Archives: May 2018

There have been fights and arguments over smoking for many years. Whether it is someone’s right to tell, not ask a person(s), not to smoke, where to smoke, when to smoke and/or how bad smoke is to their body, or, on the other hand, a person(s) have a right to affect their body and smoke I believe is the smoker’s business. This argument goes both ways, have many variables and cross many lines, clear and hidden. I will only touch on it lightly.

Imperial Plaza have been going through this for a few years and, I hate to say this, will see no end to the controversy. Brookdale, who leased Imperial Plaza in the past, was to give clear guidance and areas in which to smoke to the residents last year. They never did proceed in the actions (I am guessing) because they knew for a long time they were leaving and they would let the new administration handle the volatile situation. Now the new guidelines are in effect with many people ready to carry the fight to full war.

I see both sides, I know that both sides have fanatics, I can agree with some of what both sides want. I used to be a supervisor, mediating many disagreements, seeing what both sides want while trying to prevent total war between the parties. Because of the smoking bans, cigarette companies have moved from states that put undue pressure on them, their source of money and extra taxes on them. However, the populace should look at, feel for and understand the smokers that are caught in the middle of it all.

First and foremost, like the non-smoker, smokers have rights also. The way things are set in the USA, smokers don’t have any rights except to be able to buy cigarettes when they reach a certain age. Then they are greatly taxed for buying the legal weed and layered with many legal issues in order to smoke the legal weed. They are told the over taxation goes toward the over burdened medical system in order to care for the health problems that smoking brings upon the human body. Okay, then don’t allow the nonsmoker benefit from the program, let that money take care the smoker.

Then, the smoker is put out in the rain, cold, boiling hot sun, humid air and placed yards away from everyone. If a nonsmoker happen to come near, smell the smoker and complain, the smoker is moved even further or told not to smoke, even though the nonsmoker could have walked around or gone in a different direction. To me, the smoker do not have rights.

Somerby have done just that. They have banned smoking in many areas and to be able to smoke the resident have a long walk to get to the area, if the resident is not lucky enough to live in the nearest building. I am a cigar smoker and I have a few days left before I am completely moved to another community. I will not have to do the things residents here does. I am one of the lucky ones. Maybe these rules/laws will effect me a few years from now but at this time I will not be under the strict laws that have come about.

The nonsmokers do not have to go out into the rain, sun, wind, cold, snow, etc. to do what they have a right to do under the laws that were passed by our elected officials. The smoker, as far as I see, does not have the same rights and they are not only over taxed (and the nonsmoker benefit from that) but shunned worst than our pets. I see both sides and feel for both sides. All I have to say is I am moving at the right time and I am sure more will do the same, I have heard rumors. Neither side want to bend (give a little) but in order to have peace and tranquility the sides must.

After I wrote the part about peace and tranquility an incident happened that shows that there are people that do not want peace. Three or four people were sitting around smoking and talking, enjoying the afternoon. A person that live two buildings away came over to confront the smokers, called the police to the Imperial Plaza property but refused to lodge a formal complaint. True, they were illegally smoking, however, they were not in her area of domicile nor were they bothering other people. All I can say now is GOOD LUCK people at Imperial Plaza. My wife and I are out of here!

Well, the time is almost here for me to finalize the move to the luxury independent senior living apartment complex. It is less than a year old and abuts the Chesterpeak Bay/Atlantic Ocean. This is what I call living the high life. I have tried to tell others that there is always more than what you see. All it will take is looking around and the willingness to move from the comfort zone that a person have become used to, whether it is good or bad. Move up, never down. There is always something better than what a person have now (if it is not all ready fantastic).

As my friend and I smoke our cigars, watching the hawks constantly fly to and fro from their nest, we are anticipating the appearance of another bunch of baby hawks. Unfortunately, I will not be here to watch and take pictures again. One thing is for sure, the squirrel population will be kept at a low number. I have observed rats, squirrels and rabbits in their talons as they fly to the nest, feeding themselves and, if the eggs have hatched, the little ones. All I’ll see in Virginia Beach are sea birds, maybe a fish or two in their mouth. Oh well, change is good and exciting.

Somerby is moving right along with their moving into the job at hand. They still have a long way to go and I hope things come together soon. Although I have resigned from the Resident Council, I still get people questioning me about the things going on around here as well as personal problems they have about this facility. I listen and try to advise them, knowing they know I am leaving very soon. They will realize they have to go to the new person in charge when I am finally permanently gone, can’t be found wondering around this facility. As far as I know, my new place does not have a resident council and, if they form one, I will not be apart of it. Too much work, no pay.

As I have said, senior living is fun plus relaxation and the latitude to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, no pressure. I see some seniors trying to have fun but far too many do not and frown at those that do. They are the ones that constantly live in the past and want everyone around them to do the same. That is not me because, although I find time to sit and relax, I always look for something fun and exciting to do. The activities department at Imperial Plaza always provide a variety of adventures, on and off site, but few residents engage in the activities. I guess the old saying still stand true; you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. I see that most of these people are stuck in their same old ways and don’t want to change. God bless them and I wish them well. My wife and I are moving on, moving on up.

Seniors can live a relaxing fun filled life. All they have to do is want to do it and be willing to change. Change their way of life, possible location and thinking. Become more active and SMILE. Love life and life will love the senior until the end day. No one know when that day and time will come but until then, love life to the fullest.